[Greens-Media] Get with the program: Australia is ready for same-sex marriage

[Clark, Gemma (Sen S. Hanson-Young)]

Friday 1 August 2008

Get with the program: Australia is ready for same-sex marriage


Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has challenged statements made by
fellow South Australian Senator Penny Wong on the ABC's Q&A program last
night.

Senator Wong asserted that Labor's position of denying same-sex couples
the right to legally marry is in line with the views of the Australian
community.

"The statements made by Senator Wong on Q&A last night are out of touch
with the view of the majority of Australians," said Senator
Hanson-Young.

Recent polls show that the Australian public is supportive of same-sex
marriage. The readers' poll in The Age on 2 May 2008 had 79% of
respondents in support of gay couples being allowed to marry. The West
Australian's iGeneration poll of January this year also found the
majority of its respondents to be in favour of gay marriage.

"These polls back up what the Greens have known for a long time - the
community is way ahead of the old parties when it comes to this issue.
Australia is ready to honour the basic human right of allowing adults to
marry whomever they love, regardless of their gender or sexual
orientation," said Senator Hanson-Young.

"I urge the Federal Government to open their ears to what is actually
happening in hearts and minds in this country, and to back the
Australian people and the Greens' policy of legalising same-sex
marriage."

An amendment will be moved by Senator Hanson-Young to remove all types
of discrimination against same-sex couples in federal law, including
marriage.

Senator Hanson-Young is a member of the Senate Standing Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs and will be attending hearings for the
inquiry into same-sex rights in Commonwealth legislation next week:

Tuesday 5 August - Sydney Masonic Centre, 66 Goulburn St, Sydney
Wednesday 6 August - St James Court Conference Centre, 12 Batman St,
Melbourne
Thursday 7 August - Committee Room 2S1, Parliament House, Canberra


For further information please call Gemma Clark on 0427 604 760